New Delhi, December 7, 2024 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the efforts of Nikshay Mitras and the implementation of shorter, more effective tuberculosis (TB) treatments, which have significantly reduced the incidence of the disease in India.
As the country aims to eliminate TB by 2025, these initiatives have been pivotal in improving recovery rates and reinforcing India’s leadership in the global fight against TB.
In a recent address, PM Modi highlighted the transformative impact of the Nikshay Mitra initiative, which provides comprehensive support to TB patients, including nutritional, diagnostic, and vocational assistance.
“Initiatives like Nikshay Mitras and shorter, effective treatments have significantly reduced TB incidence, improved recovery rates, and reinforced India’s global leadership in combating TB,” the Prime Minister stated.
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda also emphasized the importance of the 100-Day TB Elimination Campaign, which targets high-burden districts to accelerate case detection, reduce diagnostic delays, and enhance treatment outcomes. This campaign, spanning 347 districts across 33 states and Union Territories, is a critical component of India’s strategy to build a TB-free nation.
The efforts have shown promising results, with a 17.7% decline in TB incidence from 237 per 100,000 population in 2015 to 195 per 100,000 population in 2023. Additionally, TB-related deaths have decreased by 21.4% during the same period.
As India continues its journey towards TB elimination, the combined efforts of government initiatives, healthcare professionals, and community support remain crucial in achieving this ambitious goal.
